We’re back at it! Heading to Iceland for a week of fun in the…snow? Yes, we’re leaving the snow and going to different snow. Hoping the weather report is wrong and we get at least some clear skies while we’re there. Either way, we’ll make the best of it!
#travel #exploremore #iceland #airport
Chris convinced me to brave the heat and the crowds today and go to the beach in Rio. It wasn’t as terrible as I expected. Set your expectations low and sometimes you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
#beach #riodejaneiro #brazil #travel #exploremore
Originally started as a tribute to the Brazilian people, the stairs connect the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa.
However, between the heat and the crowds, I preferred the shadier side streets with the lesser known street art, also featured in this post.
Created by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón, this vibrant staircase took over 20 years (1990–2013) to complete. It features 215 steps stretching 125 meters (136.7ish yards), covered with 2,000+ tiles from more than 60 countries. Many of the tiles were donated by visitors.
Chris really wanted to see the Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Steps) so despite the heat we made our way there. According to interwebs, these stairs are one of the most iconic public artworks in the world and based on the crowds, I’m guessing it’s true.
#rio #Brazil #streetart #travel #exploremore
Christ the Redeemer is a giant statue of Jesus Christ located atop Corcovado Mountain in Rio. We took the tram to the top and, after a brief hold up by a local pig, we arrived as the sun was setting. The views were stunning but I could have done w/o the crowds.
#riodejaneiro #brazil #sunset #travel
As promised, the Brazillian side of Iguazu National Park. Both sides were phenomenal, I truly don’t think I could pick a favorite. If you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend seeing both.
#iguazu #brazil #waterfalls #travel #exploremore
As promised, the Brazillian side of Iguazu National Park. Both sides were phenomenal, I truly don’t think I could pick a favorite. If you have the chance to visit, I highly recommend seeing both.
#iguazu #brazil #waterfalls #travel #exploremore
Landing in Rio! Rio is the second largest city in Brazil and home to almost 14 million people. There are far fewer tall buildings compared to São Paulo but still so, so many smaller buildings/homes, and ships! We look forward to the next 8 days exploring Rio!
#riodejaneiro #exploremore #travel
Landing in São Paulo, Brazil. This city is MASSIVE! With almost 23 million residents, it is the largest city in Brazil and one of the most populous in the world. I have never seen so many buildings all crammed in together. This video is set at a 5X speed and parts are cut out & still insane!
Animals of Iguazu! Butterflies, lizards, otters, monkeys, toucans, and baby coatis- what a day!
#monkey #toucan #wildlife #animals #nature
Now, most of the animals are native and roam free while a few from the old zoo remain caged for safety reasons. The new eco park aims to focus on conservation and education while employing more humane practices.
The Buenos Aires Eco Park used to be a zoo. When it opened in 1888 it contained over 2,500 animals. In 2016, the city protested the zoo’s cruelty toward the animals and the 140-year-old zoo was closed. It relocated most of the animals to nature reserves or released them into the wild.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires is the mother of all bookstores! Named ”the world’s most beautiful bookstore” by National Geographic, El Ateneo Grand Splendid resides in an old theater. In 2000 it was converted to a bookstore but much of the interior remains the same. Absolutely stunning!
Day 3 in Buenos Aires! We walked to the San Telmo Market for lunch and then through a few parks to the colorful La Boca District where we ended with a pint, or in Chris’s case three half pints, at Temple Brewing. Another beautiful day!
#buenosaires #argentina #travel #exploremore #southamerica
Last night we took in a tango performance! The dinner was decent but the highlight by far was the show! Here are some snippets.
#tango #buenosaires #argentina #travel #exploremore
It absolutely is!
It was a very sunny day in Buenos Aires and it got quite hot but we still enjoyed wandering around and taking in some sights. The architecture in this city is pretty incredible!
Up next? A tango performance!
#architecture #buenosaires #argentina #travel #exploremore
Yesterday we visited the Jardín Botánico and took in the last sunset from the ship.
#flowers #botanicalgarden #buenosaires #argentina #travel
Built in 1822 on land that once belonged to monks, this place became the city’s first public cemetery. While it may be a public cemetery, it is filled with Argentine presidents, Nobel winners, and famous artists. I imagine it takes money to be buried here.
We could have spent all day here!
Recoleta Cemetery is known as the city of the dead in the heart of Buenos Aires! It contains so many massive marble mausoleums, all lined up. with cobblestone pathways in between.
#recoleta #buenosaires #argentina🇦🇷 #travel #exploremore
It’s like a supernatural force just pulls us in! We were strolling the cemetery in Buenos Aires and realized we were hungry and out of water. Pulled up a map and boom, Buller Brewing Company! The beer has a really unique flavor and the atmosphere is just perfect, especially on the rooftop patio!
Yesterday in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was a beautiful city and very easily walkable.
#montevideo #uruguay #travel #exploremore #cruise
We got lucky and saw 3/5 penguin species that call the Falklands home: gentoo, king, and Magellan! We even got within a few feet of one of the Magellans! (He came up to the trail, we didn’t go into his space.)
It truly was magical and one of the highlights of this trip!
The penguin excursions from the ship were $400pp and other companies wanted $250pp and way too much for us so we went searching on our own. We paid $20pp for the hop-on/hop-off bus; we had to walk a bit more than if we’d coughed up the money, but it was 1000% worthwhile!
I spent WAY TOO MUCH time on this video but I was cracking myself up! Yes, I made up dialogue and a whole story for the penguins. I’m weird like that.
#penguin #wildlife #travel #exploremore #cruise
Being alone out in the Atlantic, far from any light pollution, made for some great star gazing. It was hard to capture this with just an iPhone, especially because you have to stay still for night mode and the wind was pretty intense, but I did my best!
Last night was supposed to have meteor showers so the captain turned off some of the ship’s lights. Sadly, that didn’t happen but we still got some amazing views of the night sky.
WE FINALLY SAW PENGUINS IN THE WILD! I have so much more to post about them but for now, here’s one of my favorites!
#penguin #travel #exploremore #wildanimals #cruise
Ushuaia is the capital of Tierra del Fuego Province in Argentina. It claims to be the southernmost city in the world but that depends on how you define city. It is located on the southern coast of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego.
It was a gorgeous stop and reminded us a lot of Alaska!
